Explain John Proctors Struggle with his Conscience :: Salem Witch Trials The Crucible Essays

Explain antic Proctors Struggle with his ConscienceConscienceThe conscience, the knowledge of right and wrong that affects actionsand deportment the senses of guilt or virtue indeed by actions,behaviour etc. An innermost thought. (PH English dictionary) bath Proctor has a terrible deal with his conscience, particularlytowards the end of the play. John proctors conscience is tell him thathe shouldnt lay out into the pressure of the move, that he should standproud and not tell the salute lies. His conscience is telling him heshouldnt lie or defy the court and then his decease, hanging from thenoose, can be a proud one, authoritative with honour after making his loveand more importantly his ease with God.However his natural instinct, given to him upon his birth is tellinghim to lie. That he should retrogress his favourable name, confess to dealing withwitchcraft. Telling him to lose some, perhaps all the respect peoplehave for him only if to keep his life. To lose his hig h-handedness but to keep hislife. To live to see his children grow up, to see his unhatched child beborn, to watch his wife grow old with him. provided most importantly tolive, and to be free, and not to experience death process he is older.Live and lie, losing your dignity and all the respect youve earned,or die, but keep your good name, and let your children grow up with agood name. Leaving your life with an unblemished name.John chose death, although before he chose death he was prepared tochoose life, he precious to live, yet more than this he wanted anunblemished name. More importantly than this he wanted his children,and their children, and their childrens children to have a name to beproud of. Proctor. He did not want them to be left with the name of awitch.Because it is my name (The Crucible, tour 4)John Proctor says the above quote, which simply reinforces everythingI wrote earlier. John does not want to give up his name he cannothave some other in this life. Better t o have one unblemished name. Thanto have hundreds of name calling all tainted in one way or another. John doesnot want to give up his good name he would rather give up his life,which we see in the rather forbidding and sudden ending of the play.This shows John Proctors personal struggle with himself. He wanted tolive, yet he also wanted to keep his good name. He couldnt do bothand in the end he chose his name. He was combat with himself right